fat – Organic Authorityhttp://www.organicauthority.com
Organic Authority - organic food, organic living, green living, organic thoughts.Thu, 17 Aug 2017 17:10:15 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.7.4Post-Trans Fat America: Is Healthy Fat Finally Here to Stay?http://www.organicauthority.com/post-trans-fat-america-is-healthy-fat-finally-here-to-stay/
Tue, 30 Jun 2015 09:00:47 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/?p=36744Is there such a thing as too much “healthy” fat? Or does this only apply to “bad” fats, like trans fats found in processed foods? In the wake of the FDA’s recent ban on trans fats, the question of how much fat is optimal for the human diet is back on the table. Before the […]

Is there such a thing as too much “healthy” fat? Or does this only apply to “bad” fats, like trans fats found in processed foods? In the wake of the FDA’s recent ban on trans fats, the question of how much fat is optimal for the human diet is back on the table.

Before the FDA issued its recent ruling on trans fats, the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee published its report in February, which helps the government update its recommended Dietary Guidelines every five years.

In its report, the committee shied away from previous recommendations on fat that had stood for nearly 40 years—limiting total fat to no more than 20-35 percent of daily calories. The new report, however, recommends Americans “put the emphasis on optimizing types of dietary fat and not reducing total fat,” a distinction that could have significant repercussions for a nation battling an obesity crisis. The committee also removed recommendations of limiting fat intake specifically to prevent obesity—a long-standing suggestion that experts now say was misguided.

Despite its name, science is confirming that fat isn’t necessarily a culprit in weight gain, and can even aid in weight loss, among numerous health benefits. “[D]emonizing all fat set off the fat-free boom, and a big increase in carbohydrate and sugar intake followed, which led to Americans becoming even fatter,” reports NPR’s The Salt.

While sugars and refined carbs have been outed as major contributors to weight gain and other health issues, including type 2 diabetes, tooth decay and an increased risk of certain types of cancer, the stigma over fat still lingers. That said, some fat deserves caution: Trans fats, which typically come in the form of partially hydrogenated oils, can increase the risk of heart disease, high cholesterol and stroke, in addition to causing weight gain. And saturated fats found in many animal products can raise the levels of LDL cholesterol (the “lousy” kind), which can be a trigger for heart disease and stroke.

But good fats, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, do the opposite: They help lower cholesterol levels, boost heart health, and improve weight loss. These fats also have numerous other benefits, including reducing inflammation in the body, brain health, and supporting healthy skin and hair. But the long-standing fear of fat has most people avoiding fatty foods, even those with proven benefits including avocados, olive oil, nuts, and seeds, which boast significant amounts of healthy fat.

Penny Kris-Etherton, professor of nutrition at Penn State and the chair of the American Heart Association’s nutrition committee, tells The Salt: “There is a pretty solid consensus now that it’s the type of fat that’s really important.”

The government is now reviewing the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s report, and could lift its long-standing limiting recommendation on daily calories from fat. While that may not be enough to sway public opinion on eating more fat in the immediate future, it could help bring more awareness to healthy fats, and may even have long-term effects on our relationship with fat. At least, that’s the hope: that Americans will focus less on how much fat is being consumed, and more on the quality of that fat. And with trans fats on their way out of our diet, finding foods rich in healthy fats should be easier than ever.

]]>Are These 6 Catchy Health Headlines Actually Ruining Your Health?http://www.organicauthority.com/are-these-6-catchy-health-headlines-actually-ruining-your-health/
Thu, 07 May 2015 11:00:33 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/?p=35620If you have turned on a computer, watched television, or opened a magazine in the past several years, you’ve likely seen one of those health headlines trying to make you believe that doing a few simple things can easily solve all of your ills. In reality, the truth is much more complicated and nuanced. But those […]

If you have turned on a computer, watched television, or opened a magazine in the past several years, you’ve likely seen one of those health headlines trying to make you believe that doing a few simple things can easily solve all of your ills. In reality, the truth is much more complicated and nuanced. But those controversial headlines generate clicks and sell millions of newspapers and magazines every year.

And even if you do read past the headline, which many of us don’t, you may not be getting the full story. Experts’ interpretations of the same data can differ wildly.

While it’s natural to want to believe in a quick, easy fix, that just isn’t realistic. Your body, along with its nutritional needs, is extremely complex. The body’s needs may vary from person to person, season to season, and throughout the course of your lifetime. A simple, catchy headline isn’t going to give you the knowledge or tools to live your healthiest life.

Here are six catchy health headlines that may just be ruining your health:

1. Fat

First, for the record, the low-fat craze that began in the 1970s did not leave Americans eating less fat. According to the Centers for Science in the Public Interest, we are eating 20 percent more fat than we did in 1970. This notion we collectively went on a low-fat diet and all got fat as a result is simply not true.

However, nowadays most nutrition experts do agree fat was unfairly vilified the past. Some fat in our diet is necessary for optimal health. Your body needs dietary fats like omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Fat also allows your body to absorb fat-soluble vitamins. Also, your brain is made up of 60 percent fat and needs fat to survive and thrive.

But can we eat as much as we want without gaining weight, as these headlines imply?

The good news is, eating fat will not cause your body to add fat stores simply because it is fat per se. However, if you eat more of it than your body needs for energy, you’re going to gain weight. It’s as simple as that.

This wishful thinking that we can eat as much fat as we want, without consequences, is apparent in the recent popularity of bulletproof coffee – touted by many as a weight loss drink. This concoction consists of coffee blended with around two tablespoons each of butter and coconut oil, and clocks in at almost 450 calories. If you drink this without either removing these calories from your diet elsewhere or burning them through exercise, these calories won’t magically disappear. They will end up on your thighs.

In the past year, many of the articles claiming fat doesn’t make you fat and saturated fat is good for you cite as proof a 2010 meta-analysis published in March 2014 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. According to this study, saturated fat has been largely exonerated of any negative health implications. However, many experts disagree with this conclusion.

Back to that bulletproof coffee. In addition to it’s almost 450 calories, it also contains a whopping 38 grams of saturated fat. At the very least, all this conflicting data means it might not be prudent to consume that much saturated fat until we know more.

2. Calories

When it comes to overall health, one hundred calories of broccoli has a very different effect than a 100-calorie pack of peanut butter cups. The former keeps your blood sugar stable and nourishes your body with crucial vitamins and minerals; the latter dangerously spikes your blood sugar and offers no nutrients whatsoever.

Another key way in which calories are not created equal is how easy is it to eat too many calories of hyper-palatable, processed junk food vs. real food. For instance, it’s virtually impossible to eat 500 calories of broccoli (about 16 cups, chopped). Yet, you probably know far too well how easy it is to eat 500 calories of junk food over the course of one commercial break.

To the dismay or holistic nutritionists everywhere, one controversial experiment showed simply cutting calories could indeed lead to weight loss, even when what the person was eating was junk food. In 2010, a nutrition professor from Kansas State University lost 27 pounds in 10 weeks on a “convenience store diet” consisting primarily of items such as Twinkies, powdered donuts, Doritos, sugary cereals, and other convenience foods. The reason – he only consumed 1,800 calories per day vs. his normal average of 2,600.

While neither the professor (nor anyone else with an ounce of common sense) would recommend such a diet in the long run, it did show that calories do matter when it comes to weight loss.

And even with real, nutritious foods, you can still gain weight if you eat more than your body needs for fuel. Again, calories don’t just magically disappear. The key to remember is – you are far less likely to overindulge when eating real, nutrient-dense foods.

3. Exercise

What typically follows “calories don’t matter” is that exercise doesn’t help you lose weight. If you eat more than your body needs for fuel, you’ll gain weight. If calories are not burned, they are stored. And one way to increase your body’s need for fuel is to exercise.

Many such articles argue that exercise doesn’t help you lose weight because people tend to reward themselves with food after exercising, sometimes consuming many times over the amount of calories burned. In other words, if you read a magazine while casually bouncing up and down on the elliptical machine for 20 minutes, you don’t deserve a Venti Frapp as a reward. That’s just common sense.

When it comes to the benefits of regular physical activity, it’s hard to argue with the statistics for the State of Colorado. While the obesity rate has climbed over the past few decades, along with the rest of the nation, Colorado is still the slimmest state in the U.S. Why? Perhaps because Colorado is known for its year-round sports – skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, mountain climbing, and more.

The fact that Colorado is one of the most active state in the U.S. and also the slimmest is not coincidental. Movement matters.

4. Soy

Soy is one of the most controversial topics in nutrition. Breast cancer survivors are frequently told to avoid it. But is it really dangerous?

Many believe soy should be avoided because it contains phytoestrogens (naturally occurring plant estrogens), which behave like a weak estrogen in the body. At first glance, this appears troubling because when estrogen meets an estrogen receptor in a breast cell, breast cancer can occur.

However, these phytoestrogens are nowhere nearly as strong as human estrogen. That means when these weak estrogens bind to an estrogen receptor, they block more potent natural estrogens. That’s a good thing.

Some very large studies have shown that a moderate amount of soy in your diet can actually protect you from breast cancer. One 2010 Chinese study showed women with a particular type of breast cancer who ate more than 42 mg per day (the equivalent of one-half cup of tofu) of soy isoflavones had a 33 percent lower chance of recurrence than those who ate less than 15 mg per day.

However, not all soy is created equal. Since approximately 90 percent of the soy grown in the U.S. is genetically modified and conventional soy is high in pesticide residue, organic is definitely best. Also, soy can be difficult for some to digest and is one of the most common food sensitivities.

Fermented soy products such as tempeh, miso, natto, and naturally fermented soy sauce are easier to digest, making them a good choice. Also, avoid soy supplements and foods that contain isolated soy proteins. These do not have the same protective qualities as whole soy foods and may actually be dangerous.

5. Meat & Eggs

Our cancer, heart disease, and diabetes rates started to skyrocket after World War II when food companies decided Americans no longer needed to “waste time” cooking and that they could do it better. In fact, heart attacks were virtually unheard of in the U.S. before the early 1900s.

Books like “The China Study” offer seemingly indisputable evidence that dairy products, eggs, meat, and even fish are strongly linked to cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. However, many experts, including Dr. William Davis – author of the best-selling book “Wheat Belly” – have disputed that evidence.

So, what’s going on?

First, humans are all different and what keeps one person healthy may harm another. Your bioindividuality, age, ancestry, and where you live all matter. In addition, nutrition science is in its infancy. In his book “Food Rules” Michael Pollan stated that current nutrition science is “sort of like where surgery was in 1690”. Do you want the equivalent of a 17th century surgeon telling you what to eat?

So how should you determine which diet is best? Start by looking at the places in the world where people live the longest. Author Dan Buettner documented these in his book, “The Blue Zones.” In small pockets in California, Costa Rica, Greece, Italy, and Japan, people routinely live long, vibrant lives – often well into their 90s and beyond – relatively free from cancer, heart disease, diabetes and dementia. None, with exception of the Seventh Day Adventist population in Loma Linda, CA, are strictly vegan, nor do they eat the massive amounts of animal protein and processed foods that most Americans do.

Instead, the diet in these places is largely plant-based – best described as semi-vegetarian and filled with vegetables, fruits, and true whole grains. The people in most of the Blue Zones also eat moderate amounts of high-quality (i.e., grass-fed or wild) dairy, eggs, meat, and fish. Follow their lead – eat real food.

6. Grains

Not surprisingly, many articles of this nature are written by advocates of high animal protein diets, such as Paleo. The Paleo community squarely places the blame for most of our obesity and disease problems on the beginning of agriculture, about 10,000 years ago. In reality, grains weren’t harming us for about 9,940 of those years.

The real problem lies in what the food industry has done to grains in the past few generations – stripping them of all their nutrients and pulverizing them beyond recognition into a high-glycemic substance they glue together into various shapes and sizes using fat, sugar, sodium and chemicals.

Grains are actually an important source of many beneficial and essential nutrients (meaning you need them but your body cannot produce them on its own), including B vitamins, vitamins C and D, and minerals such as iron, magnesium and potassium. Whole grains have also been linked to reduced risk of hypertension, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, colon cancer and other conditions.

It is true that grains can be difficult for some people to digest. And they contain substances called phytates—anti-nutrients that can block the absorption of certain important minerals. For better digestion and absorption of nutrients, sprout, soak or ferment grains before eating them. Soaking is easiest; if possible, soak grains overnight or at least several hours before cooking or eating them.

The bottom line is that many traditional diets around the world, such as those of most Asian and African cultures, have been grain-based. Until Western influences set in, these populations enjoyed low obesity and disease rates. The key is to eat the real thing – not processed and packaged foods labeled “made with whole grains.” Buy organic whole grains such as quinoa, brown rice, faro, amaranth, and others from the bulk section of your local health food store and enjoy in moderation. One or two half-cup (cooked) servings per day will round out a healthy diet.

]]>A Junk Food Diet Negates Benefits of Fruits and Veggies in Weight Loss Goals, Study Findshttp://www.organicauthority.com/a-junk-food-diet-negates-benefits-of-fruits-and-veggies-in-weight-loss-goals-study-finds/
Wed, 06 Aug 2014 11:00:16 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/?p=30632Newsflash: if you don’t drop the hamburger, Oreo milkshakes and pantry full of potato chips, no amount of carrots and celery sticks will hep you lose weight. Junk food diets trump healthy food, even if you think you’re eating a balance between the two. That’s the finding of research published in The American Journal of […]

Newsflash: if you don’t drop the hamburger, Oreo milkshakes and pantry full of potato chips, no amount of carrots and celery sticks will hep you lose weight. Junk food diets trump healthy food, even if you think you’re eating a balance between the two.

That’s the finding of research published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, which concluded that without removing high-calorie foods like junk food, increased consumption of fruit and vegetable content won’t have any effect on weight loss.

I love when science proves what we already know, but it’s true that as the researchers write, “a common dietary recommendation for weight loss, especially in lay public outlets, is to eat more fruit and vegetables.” As their research shows, that dietary recommendation does nothing if it isn’t paired with a decrease in the consumption of our junk food diet.

When we think about programs to help reduce obesity, then it means that we need to focus on both sides. Carrots and broccoli will do a whole lot of good, but only as long as they’re part of a holistic approach to food that includes cutting the bad stuff out. The researchers concluded that “recommending increased fruit and vegetable consumption to treat or prevent obesity without explicitly combining this approach with efforts to reduce intake of other energy sources is unwarranted.”

In the United States there’s an entire national health initiative devoted to getting people to eat more fruits and vegetables. But where’s the national Put the Burger and Fries Down campaign? I bet the fast food lobby would be quick to stop that. But goverments have to stand up for themselves. Take a look at Mexico’s fast food tax.

In the U.S. though, there is a bit of hope. Last week, congresswoman Rosa DeLauro proposed a bill that would require a national tax on sugar-sweetened beverages. When it comes to public health policy, we can’t just talk about what we should eat more of, we have to also encourage, and provide incentives for people to eat less of the bad stuff.

There’s no denying that more fruits and vegetables in a diet is a good thing, especially as they’re associated with more health benefits than just weight loss. Cancer, heart disease, diabetes; they can all be reduced with more fruits and vegetables. But it is also true that focusing on what we should eat without focusing on what we shouldn’t be eating won’t get us to a well-rounded approach to health.

We all know we need to kick the junk food habit, but now we have yet another study to remind us why.

]]>Saturated Fat Isn’t So Bad After All, So Bring the Butter Backhttp://www.organicauthority.com/saturated-fat-isnt-so-bad-after-all-so-bring-the-butter-back/
Fri, 28 Mar 2014 07:00:57 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/?p=28403Remember those days when saturated fat was the devil? Were you one of those people who filled your shopping cart with fat-free this and fat-free that? Those days are starting to be numbered. While for many years we were schooled on the evils of saturated fat, pushing us away from things like butter and towards […]

Remember those days when saturated fat was the devil? Were you one of those people who filled your shopping cart with fat-free this and fat-free that? Those days are starting to be numbered.

While for many years we were schooled on the evils of saturated fat, pushing us away from things like butter and towards things like margarine, more and more studies are showing that eating saturated fat does in fact not increase the risk for heart attacks.

The most recent study was published last week in the Annals of Internal Medicine. As reported by the New York Times, the study, “did not find that people who ate higher levels of saturated fat had more heart disease than those who ate less. Nor did it find less disease in those eating higher amounts of unsaturated fat, including monounsaturated fat like olive oil or polyunsaturated fat like corn oil.”

“I think the evidence is really clear that the dietary guidelines shouldn’t be focusing on reducing saturated fat,” said study coauthor Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, an epidemiologist at Harvard School of Public Health. “There is no good evidence that low-fat dairy products are healthier than high-fat dairy.”

So is it okay to eat saturated fats now? If you read these kind of findings and translate them as “eat all the hamburgers you want!” you’re probably in trouble. This study isn’t an advocate for necessarily eating more saturated fats. Instead, it’s highlighting the flaws in our single-nutrient type of thinking; the kind of thing that has driven the nutrition industry. When we deemed that saturated fats were bad, we tried to cut them out entirely, replacing them with plenty of processed ingredients that are now commonly linked to bad health.

“The single macronutrient approach is outdated,” Dr. Frank Hu, professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health, told the New York Times. “I think future dietary guidelines will put more and more emphasis on real food rather than giving an absolute upper limit or cutoff point for certain macronutrients.”

The other takeaway from this new study is what it had to say about trans fats. The researchers did in fact find a link between trans fats (ie hydrogenated oils) and heart disease. You know where those oils are found? Processed foods.

The study isn’t recommending that you go out and start stuffing yourself with saturated fats, but it is saying that this isn’t the culprit for heart problems that we once thought it was. The really bad stuff that you should be avoiding? Sugar and refined starches.

Ultimately, it’s all a reminder that we need to think less about individual nutrients and more about our overall food intake instead. Switch the focus from low-fat which has a lot of people consuming a lot of processed foods, to an overall diet that is pretty much based around Michael Pollan’s core eating policy: Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.

Want to bake a cake? Do it with butter instead of margarine. Or if you’re off dairy, opt for olive oil. But the point is to pick real foods over processed ones. Allow yourself to indulge a little. And then go on with your day without driving ourselves crazy. Diet products aren’t what’s going to save us, a more reasonable well-rounded approach to what we eat is.

]]>The Good Fats You Should Be Eatinghttp://www.organicauthority.com/health/the-good-fats-you-should-be-eating.html
Tue, 18 Dec 2012 16:00:00 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/s5-health/c8-health/the-good-fats-you-should-be-eating/Fat is your friend. No, really. It’s true that some fats are nasty, cholesterol-raising blobs of evil, but others actually help fight illness—and keep your skin and hair glowing, at that. The key is to choose good fats from healthy, nutrient-rich sources. And I’m here to show you how to do just that. Let’s get […]

Fat is your friend. No, really. It’s true that some fats are nasty, cholesterol-raising blobs of evil, but others actually help fight illness—and keep your skin and hair glowing, at that. The key is to choose good fats from healthy, nutrient-rich sources. And I’m here to show you how to do just that.

Let’s get to the basics. Fat is first and foremost an energy source, and a tasty one at that. But your body also uses it for other purposes, like nutrient absorption. Dietary fat helps you process fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, which are important for healthy bones, supple skin, blood clotting and possibly even cancer prevention.

The healthiest fats are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. These reduce artery-clogging LDL cholesterol levels while increasing “good” HDL cholesterol in your blood. They also may have a positive influence on blood sugar levels to help keep Type 2 diabetes at bay, according to the MayoClinic.com.

The most potent sources of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are vegetable oils, nuts, seeds and seafood. Pecans, almonds, and cashews are all terrific sources of monounsaturated fat, and also contain vitamin E and potassium. While most fruits and vegetables are very low in fat, olives and avocados both have monunsaturated fats as well. For polyunsaturated fat, turn to tofu and soymilk (just make sure it’s organic), sunflower seeds and fatty fish, all of which also provide protein. Olive, coconut and sunflower oils are rich in monounsaturated fat, while corn, soybean and safflower oils are go-tos for polyunsaturated fat.

But wait; let’s not forget about Omega-3s. A variety of polyunsaturated fat, Omega-3 fatty acids are emerging as heart-healthy superstars that could reduce the risk of coronary artery disease, and may even ease high blood pressure and irregular heartbeats. There is also evidence that Omega-3s could help boost memory, fight depression and ease arthritis. Salmon, anchovies and herring are rich in the stuff, and you can also get it from algae. Walnuts, flax, hemp and chia seeds also have high levels of Omega-3s.

Now that the good news is out, let’s talk about the fats worth avoiding: Saturated fats, found in animal products, have an unsavory reputation for spiking LDL cholesterol levels and contributing to diabetes. Even worse are trans fats, which are found in meats and cheeses but also synthesized into hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils. Watch out for these in baked goods and snacks.

Although unsaturated fats are fabulous for your health, they spell trouble for your figure if you overdo them. At nine calories per gram, fat has more than double the energy of protein, and two more calories per gram than alcohol. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends getting 20 to 35 percent of your total calories from fat, period. Less than 10 percent of total calories should come from saturated fats, and trans fats should make up no more than a single percent of your calories — none is even better.

]]>From Our Friends: December 16, 2011http://www.organicauthority.com/from-our-friends/from-our-friends-december-16-2011.html
Fri, 16 Dec 2011 02:35:46 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/s12-features/c39-from-our-friends/from-our-friends-december-16-2011/It’s easy to forget about your normal healthy tendencies this time of year. Every cafe has irresistible “seasonal” beverages loaded with calories, every office party has tons of cake and treats you weren’t planing on ingesting, and so on. But don’t worry! With a little help from our friends around the web, we’ve provided you […]

It’s easy to forget about your normal healthy tendencies this time of year. Every cafe has irresistible “seasonal” beverages loaded with calories, every office party has tons of cake and treats you weren’t planing on ingesting, and so on. But don’t worry! With a little help from our friends around the web, we’ve provided you with plenty of info on how to stay healthy these last couple weeks of work before you get into your annual holiday food coma. Enjoy!

1. Christmas is in 9 days, but chances are you are still in work mode. Don’t let the rush take it’s toll on your health! Check out a great post from MightyNest on the 3 quickest ways to a healthier commute!

2. Speaking of commuting, you might find that in all that rush you either have no time to get to the gym or are too tired at the end of the day. Don’t fret! Blisstree shows you how to actually do pilates WHILE you walk!

3. You may think that you opted for something healthier for your lunch break. Yogurt, a smoothie, maybe an energy bar. Truth is, you might as well have just eaten cookies and ice cream all day. Stay informed with EcoSalon’s post on 10 health foods with more sugar than a Coke.

4. Crank out your first pull-up. Do a handstand pushup. Jump higher than you thought possible. Here are three kick-butt exercise programs from Experience Life that will help you pull off a fitness victory before the year ends.

5. Forget the stigma: Regifting keeps perfectly good items out of the waste stream, and with a little thought, the practice can be just as meaningful as giving something new. Read more at Rodale!

]]>Don’t Be Fooled: 5 Foods You Thought Were Healthy But Aren’thttp://www.organicauthority.com/health/5-foods-thought-healthy-but-not.html
Tue, 29 Nov 2011 23:47:30 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/s5-health/c8-health/5-foods-thought-healthy-but-not/Organic, all natural, gluten-free, sugar-free, cholesterol-free, fat-free, low calorie… these are just some of the labels your eyes scan over each time you walk down the market aisles. While they all seem to be screaming, “I’m healthy, you can trust me,” there’s often a catch, especially if a product is highly marketed. Unfortunately, several of […]

Organic, all natural, gluten-free, sugar-free, cholesterol-free, fat-free, low calorie… these are just some of the labels your eyes scan over each time you walk down the market aisles. While they all seem to be screaming, “I’m healthy, you can trust me,” there’s often a catch, especially if a product is highly marketed. Unfortunately, several of the foods you’ve been led to believe are guilt-free have some explaining to do. Here are the top five masquerading as healthy.

Energy/Protein Bars

While it’s mighty tempting to grab a bar when you’re on the run or too hungry to prepare a hearty meal, be sure to stop and read the ingredients before you rip open a bar’s promising packaging. While it may be packed with protein, most are also loaded with sugar, salt and sometimes oil, which can all add up to a high fat and calorie count. Not to mention, there may be a slew of artificial ingredients and preservatives.

Healthy Choice: LÄRABARs are widely available and are made with no more than nine pure ingredients. While they are not organic, they are non-GMO and there are no preservatives, fillers or colorings. Better yet, discover how to make your own energy bars.

Trail Mix and Dried Fruit

Like energy bars, a bag of nuts and dried fruit may seem like the perfect grab-and-go snack, but not so fast; make sure to check the sugar and salt content first. As if they needed any help with flavor, nuts are often roasted with salt or coated with sugar, then tossed with sweetened fruit (like cranberries) and bits of chocolate to make an enticing mix. It can be challenging to find dried fruit that hasn’t been dipped in sugar and preservatives – what’s the point when it’s already so naturally sweet that it won’t last more than a day in your hands?! You don’t even want to know how many hundreds of calories these deceiving snacks have.

Healthy Choice: Raw nuts and fresh fruit.

Enhanced Tea, Juice and Water

The refrigerated section of any market or convenience store is lined with tantalizing drinks with bold names and loud labels – you already know to ignore the colas, but think twice before reaching for a fancy and colorful tea, juice or water. While these beverages promise to give you an energy or nutritional boost, they often contain ingredients that will get in the way of those results. Sugar is the obvious felon, but there’s likely a slew of mystery (read, artificial) ingredients as well, and your body can’t function well while fending off any of those unwanted substances.

Healthy Choice: Pure tea, 100% juice drinks and plain ol’ water – nothing else should be in the ingredient list.

Smoothies

Smoothie bars seem like the perfect guilt-free destination when you’re out and about (especially after a long day of shopping), but buyer beware; you’re getting a lot more than you bargained for. Sure, all you see and taste is fresh, pure, frozen fruit, but these blended drinks are usually overflowing with sugar, dairy, artificial ingredients and calories. While thickeners like peanut butter and yogurt (see below) may seem harmless, they can add a lot of fat into the mix, and many types of fruit like bananas are naturally sugar-dense. Next thing you know you’ve downed 800 calories and you don’t even feel full!

You’d think that yogurt must be healthy based on the sheer number of options in the dairy aisle, from low-fat to fat-free in every fruit flavor imaginable. Some even promise to keep you “regular” or boost your immune system! Sure, yogurt is full of gut-friendly probiotics and can be low in calories, but there’s likely sugar (surprise, surprise) and those sneaky artificial ingredients, especially when fruit or toppings are part of the package. And don’t even get us started on frozen yogurt‘s misleading reputation!

Healthy Choice: Sugar-free, plain yogurt (Greek is usually safe) and mix in your own fresh fruit, or a non-dairy alternative made from coconut or almonds. Here are some more tips on finding healthy yogurt.

All of the above is OKAY to have in moderation. The point is not to be tricked into thinking it’s healthy to have on a regular basis. Reading labels is key. Ultimately, the shorter and purer the ingredient list, the better, and always opt for organic when it’s a choice. You now know that sugar, salt and artificial additives will sneak their way into anything, so keep an eye out for them. There’s no need for enhancement when most fresh food tastes naturally delicious! Also, be sure to check the serving size if you’re watching your calorie and fat intake – that enticing container may be fit for 2+!

]]>Too Salty? Too Spicy? How to Balance a Seasoning Mistakehttp://www.organicauthority.com/foodie-buzz/too-salty-too-spicy-how-to-balance-seasoning-mistakes-while-you-cook.html
Mon, 21 Nov 2011 02:07:52 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/s1-foodie-buzz/c4-foodie-buzz/too-salty-too-spicy-how-to-balance-seasoning-mistakes-while-you-cook/With the holidays in full swing, you’re no doubt going to be cooking up a storm all season long. While jamming out to Bing Crosby Christmas carols and watching the snowflakes fall outside the window, you might lose track of your “pinches” and “teaspoons,” only to find one of your dishes too salty or too […]

With the holidays in full swing, you’re no doubt going to be cooking up a storm all season long. While jamming out to Bing Crosby Christmas carols and watching the snowflakes fall outside the window, you might lose track of your “pinches” and “teaspoons,” only to find one of your dishes too salty or too spicy. When this happens, don’t despair: You can salvage that potpie, apple crisp or turkey casserole. Here are some tips that chefs use in the kitchen to balance seasoning mistakes.

TOO SALTY

When you go a bit overboard on the salt, you have a few options for balancing:

Add liquid for dishes like soups, stews, casseroles and other liquid-based dishes

]]>Slim Acceptance Movementhttp://www.organicauthority.com/health/slim-acceptance-movement.html
Fri, 11 Nov 2011 02:36:07 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/s5-health/c8-health/slim-acceptance-movement/ Please note this article is meant as a satire, tongue and cheek article. Please do not take it seriously. It is only meant to add a little humor to everyday life. Recently, there’s been some hubbub because of airlines forcing overweight passengers on their flights to purchase two seats, due to the fact that their […]

Please note this article is meant as a satire, tongue and cheek article. Please do not take it seriously. It is only meant to add a little humor to everyday life.

Recently, there’s been some hubbub because of airlines forcing overweight passengers on their flights to purchase two seats, due to the fact that their bodies would not fit into the space of one seat. Naturally, there has been quite a bit of recoil, not only from the passengers, but also from the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance, which holds that no one should be made to pay more just because of their size.

But what about the Slim Acceptance Movement? What about the people who pay more in spite of their size? Who will step up to defend the rights of the small and the shrimpy? The pipsqueaks? The runts? The people who always get stuck in the back middle seat of the car because it is understood that larger people automatically get the front?

I am a 5’4” female who weighs slightly over 100 pounds. My smaller mass almost always requires fewer materials than people who have a larger mass, but this is rarely accounted for. Like most small people, my entire life I have had to pay the same prices for goods and services as everyone else, even though my needs require less space, less time and fewer resources.

Nowhere is slim discrimination more obvious than with clothing. An extra-small tee-shirt takes fewer resources and labor to produce than does an extra-large tee-shirt, yet these items are almost always priced the same. Do I get a discount because my pants are two inches shorter than the norm and take less material to make? No – in fact, I must usually pay extra for the special “petite” size (nevermind the fact that the average American woman is 5’4” like me).

The cost of sporting equipment also discriminates against small people. Why should I have to pay the same price for my extra-small SCUBA suit as someone who needs a suit twice the size, that takes twice the material, twice as long to sew and twice as big of a box to ship (and twice the shipping fees)? Slim discrimination is so embedded in our society, even skinny people don’t even notice it.

Take the dinner buffet, or any other sort of “prix fixe” situation such as an open bar. Small people pay the same as others three times their size that will eat and imbibe three times as much. This inequality is accepted and not even questioned, although many small people find themselves intentionally avoiding such situations and segregating themselves to other dining opportunities.

What about personal grooming services? At the hair salon, the price of the cut or style usually depends on the length (aka size) of the hair. Styling short hair costs less than long hair. Why then, must small people pay the same amount for a full-body massage when they have half the body of others? Why do shorties get scammed on the spray-tanner, which costs the same price whether you are 4’5” or 6’4”, even though the taller person will require more product as well as more time and labor? This is shorty discrimination, plain and simple.

The transportation industry is also a bastion of slim discrimination, with planes, trains and busses seemingly forgetting that e=mc2: it takes twice as much fuel to transport a 200-pound person than it does a 100-pound person, yet the smaller person must always pay the same ticket price. The bus trips, train tickets and flight coupons of small people always cost as much as those of larger people despite the fact that we requires less fuel and energy to transport.

The small people of the world are sick and tired of paying the same price for fewer materials and shorter (no pun intended) services. We will no longer be relegated to the middle of the backseat in cars just because we can fit. Small-size people are more environmentally friendly! We take up fewer resources, breath less oxygen and produce less waste. It is time for the shorties of the world to stand up and be part of the Slim Acceptance Movement!

This article is meant as a satire, tongue and cheek article to add a little humor to everyday life. Please do not take it seriously. The opionions of the author do not represent the opinions of of Organic Authority, LLC.

]]>Fat-Burning Underwear Coming to a Store Near Youhttp://www.organicauthority.com/health/japan-invents-fat-burning-underwear.html
Wed, 21 Sep 2011 23:36:08 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/s5-health/c8-health/japan-invents-fat-burning-underwear/If getting regular exercise and eating sensibly are just too difficult (as they often seem), you could probably use a hand in reaching your weight goals. I’ve got great news for you: There’s a product on the market that will make all of your scale anxieties melt away. It’s not another protein shake, energy pill […]

If getting regular exercise and eating sensibly are just too difficult (as they often seem), you could probably use a hand in reaching your weight goals. I’ve got great news for you: There’s a product on the market that will make all of your scale anxieties melt away. It’s not another protein shake, energy pill or fad diet—no, this product comes to us from Japan, where inventors are hard at work perfecting the thing that will make you a “ten:” Fat-burning underwear.

Calorie Shaper Pants, brought to us by the Japanese company Goldwin, were invented to make your muscles work harder while moving, whether walking the dog or jogging a mile. It’s a wonderful claim, but one must ask two questions: Does it work? And is it necessary?

If it’s anything like the craze that was toning shoes and quickly burned out, the answer to both is probably “no.” In clinical trials, toning shoes were found to be ineffective at helping wearers to burn more calories and get a better workout.

No, I think I’ll steer away from gimmicky calorie-burning clothing and stick to what works: A fat-burning chair.

The Hula Chair comes to us from China and hails it can: Bring wriggling movement of waist and abdomen in rhythm; accelerate the intestines and stomach squirm; and adjust the constipation … to quote just a few benefits. Now this sounds like an invention that I can really sink my teeth butt into while enjoying a good workout.

But maybe I can combine all forces; wear my calorie-burning underwear and shoes while sitting in the Hula and allowing my whole body to convulse in fat-melting ecstasy. Take that, exercise.

]]>Top 5 Healthy Salads at Sit-Down Chain Restaurantshttp://www.organicauthority.com/foodie-buzz/top-best-healthy-salads-restaurants-calories.html
Thu, 15 Sep 2011 18:34:45 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/s1-foodie-buzz/c4-foodie-buzz/top-best-healthy-salads-restaurants-calories/True or false: Salads are the healthiest item on a restaurant menu. Before you go right for true, keep in mind that chefs are aiming to make their food flavorful and exciting, not necessarily low in calories or fat. You’d be shocked to learn how quickly you can pack on the pounds after eating a […]

True or false: Salads are the healthiest item on a restaurant menu. Before you go right for true, keep in mind that chefs are aiming to make their food flavorful and exciting, not necessarily low in calories or fat. You’d be shocked to learn how quickly you can pack on the pounds after eating a few salads. Some contain well over 1,000 calories! But we’ve got your back — here are some healthy options at the nation’s most popular sit-down restaurants, as well as some tips on how to order a slender salad wherever you go.

California Pizza Kitchen

Don’t let the name mislead you into thinking it’s all about the carbs. You can choose from many delicious salads at CPK as well. Check out their new Roasted Vegetable Salad with roasted artichoke hearts, asparagus, eggplant and sun-dried tomatoes. Since it’s not organic, order it without the peppers and corn to keep it lower in pesticides. A half salad without chicken or seafood contains less than 300 calories (fat content not disclosed).

Olive Garden

Skip the pasta (no matter how tempting) and enjoy a Garden-Fresh Salad with only 350 calories and 26 grams of fat. Order it sans croutons and it drops down to 260/20. Best part? There are unlimited refills on this salad, so you can get more if you’re not not satisfied by the time you reach the bottom of the plate.

P.F. Chang’s

It might not have occurred to you to get a salad at this Asian chain, but next time you go, give the Asian Shrimp Salad a try (order without shrimp if you’re vegetarian). It contains refreshing bites of watermelon and has 425 calories and 33 grams of fat when all the dressing is on (keep in mind one salad is two servings).

Unfortunately you’ll have a tough time staying slender if you eat here too often, but your best bet is surprisingly the Shrimp Caesar Salad, ringing in at 564 calories and 41 grams of fat. Skip the croutons and ask for the dressing on the side to reduce the count even further.

You may be disturbed to hear that Men’s Health once called this establishment the “Worst Restaurant in America” due to their lack of healthy options. Perhaps that explains why the Factory just added a new section to their menu called SkinnyLicious, which includes 40 items under 600 calories such as Fresh Vegetable Salad, Pear & Endive Salad and Factory Chopped Salad. However, they’re still hiding the nutrition facts on their website…

How to make any salad healthy at any restaurant:

Choose a light or fat-free dressing like a vinaigrette. Dairy-free options tend to be lower in calories and contain no cholesterol, where as ranch, blue cheese, caesar, french and thousand island dressings can be quite destructive.

Ask for the dressing on the side and only add enough to flavor your salad (don’t drown it!).

Skip the cheese and egg toppings.

Nuts and avocado are healthy but calorie dense, so have them in moderation. Sunflower seeds are a nice alternative.

Chickpeas are an excellent source of plant-based protein and are delicious in salads.

If you want to top a salad with meat or seafood, look for lean and grilled or baked options, not fried or breaded. Keep in mind this choice will add at least 100 calories.

]]>From Our Friends: August 19, 2011http://www.organicauthority.com/from-our-friends/from-our-friends-august-19-2011.html
Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:55:34 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/s12-features/c39-from-our-friends/from-our-friends-august-19-2011/It’s tough dealing with the way the media and television tells us how we should look. The most important thing to remember is to be healthy and happy with the way you are, no matter what. Blisstree has even opened a discussion on banning the word “fat.” Check out what people are saying and let […]

It’s tough dealing with the way the media and television tells us how we should look. The most important thing to remember is to be healthy and happy with the way you are, no matter what. Blisstree has even opened a discussion on banning the word “fat.” Check out what people are saying and let them know what you think. If you are trying to lose a couple of those Summer pounds, we’ve included some great resources from Experience Life and EcoMom. Between that and some green back to school articles, last week’s articles from around the web kept us inspired.

1. Low on motivation? These tips from Experience Life will get you to – and through – your workout with ease.

2. Looking for some healthy comfort food? Check out these delicious zucchini burgers from EcoMom!

3. Blisstree debates: Should we ban the word ‘fat’? Check out what people are discussing and throw in your own two cents!

4. Bottles be gone! Abe’s Market wants you to ditch those single use water bottles and start reusing!

5. While you’re at it, rethink those one-time use sandwich bags and take a look at MightyNest‘s guide to reusable snack and sandwich bags!

]]>12 Fat Burning Carbs that Whittle Your Waisthttp://www.organicauthority.com/health/fat-burning-carbohydrates-for-weight-loss.html
Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:22:49 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/s5-health/c8-health/fat-burning-carbohydrates-for-weight-loss/Mmm-hmmm… everybody knows that when you’re trying to shed excess weight, the first thing that’s gotta go are the potatoes and bread, so nice try. Way to sell a headline. All this time I’ve been diligently cutting the carbohydrates out of my diet so I can finally see that needle on my scale move in the […]

Mmm-hmmm… everybody knows that when you’re trying to shed excess weight, the first thing that’s gotta go are the potatoes and bread, so nice try. Way to sell a headline. All this time I’ve been diligently cutting the carbohydrates out of my diet so I can finally see that needle on my scale move in the right direction and now you’re trying to tell me that foods like pasta and rice are actually good for weight loss? Just like drinking chocolate milk and scarfing down Twinkies, I suppose?

Well, it depends on the type of carb that we choose, but the short answer is yes — there are specific shining stars that for far too long we’ve mistakenly cut out of our dietary repertoire. First, a few ground rules to bear in mind:

Rule #3: The less a carbohydrate is processed, the better it is for our body.

Rule #4: For best affect, carbohydrates with higher levels of resistant starch — the naturally occurring compound found in white potatoes, bananas and even corn — should be consumed cold.

Rule #5: And, the golden rule to end all carb-related weight loss rules: Resistant starch is our friend. Rather than being stored in the body for later use, it takes on the characteristics of dietary fiber by passing through the system while not only aiding fat oxidation but also helping to keep blood sugar levels in check. In other words, on a daily basis, dieters can torch up to 25% more fat just by indulging in starch-resistant foods (experts suggest that eating 20 grams every day will yield the best results).

Well, hello there little potato… I’ve missed you so. Time to roll out the red carpet once again for these unsung healthy carb heroes. The days of lonely bits of lean protein and solitary veggies are finally over!

]]>7 Good-for-You Foods That Are Hard To Swallowhttp://www.organicauthority.com/health/list-of-healthy-foods-that-are-hard-to-swallow.html
Fri, 05 Aug 2011 02:02:53 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/s5-health/c8-health/list-of-healthy-foods-that-are-hard-to-swallow/While growing up, I was somehow convinced that the limp, anemic-looking bean sprouts that sloshed out of a Chung King chow mein can were once live, writhing worms. Although this correlation was clearly a figment of my active childhood imagination, I nevertheless cried a river of tears every time my mother demanded that I eat […]

While growing up, I was somehow convinced that the limp, anemic-looking bean sprouts that sloshed out of a Chung King chow mein can were once live, writhing worms. Although this correlation was clearly a figment of my active childhood imagination, I nevertheless cried a river of tears every time my mother demanded that I eat those soggy, yet purportedly ‘healthy vegetables’. Now that we’re all grown up and capable of making our own sound nutritional decisions, every now and again, it’s always helpful to take a refresher course on new-to-you foods that kick some serious butt. These 7 selections may look all sorts of ugly on the outside, but once they reach your insides, they’ll help to keep the doctor away… so wear a blindfold if you must, but definitely do eat (and drink) up!

WOOD EAR MUSHROOMS

With a fleshy appearance literally resembling some sort of hybridized alien-animal ear (complete with downy hairs and skin puckering), plus a semi-gelatinous mouth-feel, avoiding this highly medicinal fungus seems like the sensible thing to do. In actuality, you’ll be doing your body all kinds of good by taking the culinary plunge… that is, if you want to naturally reduce not only your blood sugar levels but also your bad cholesterol.

MISO

In its deep brown paste form, this integral salty Japanese seasoning doesn’t look terribly appealing but it’s still passable if you don’t know how it’s made. Label readers, on the other hand, could easily be put off by the fact that miso is the handiwork of the fungus Asperfillus oryzae interacting with fermented grains and soy, simply because that just sounds kinda gross. For such a humble culinary condiment, it’s considered a god send in regions struck by nuclear disasters since it can temper the effects of radiation sickness… and the fact that it supports optimum immune function and has been linked to breast cancer protection makes it all the more worthy of your dinner plate!

WAKAME

Plucked straight from the sea, zinc, potassium, iron and vitamin C/E packed wakame is nothing more than an edible type of slippery-sweet kelp that is likened to the flavor of its terrestrial compadre, spinach – it’s also deemed to be one of the world’s most notorious invasive species! It may seem like something best left for the fish, but consuming small amounts of wakame can help to successfully thwart herpes outbreaks as well as constipation, high blood pressure and certain types of breast cancer (if the patient is choosing a natural alternative to chemotherapy) – plus it really keeps the heart and thyroid running in tip-top shape.

TEMPEH

Oh goodness… talk about something getting hit with an ugly stick. It’s never right to judge a book by its cover, but this solid fermented soybean cake doesn’t exactly make it easy with its uncanny resemblance to what might be found growing inside a laboratory Petri dish. Fans rave about the Indonesian staple not only for its earthy-nutty flavor, toothsome texture and ‘shroomy scent, but also for its solid nutritional profile (protein, fiber, magnesium, riboflavin, copper and manganese) and uncanny ability to lower bad LDL cholesterol levels as much as 40% – if only the rest of us could get past its resemblance to compressed insect larvae!

ESCAMOLES

For those who go totally gung-ho for sustainable protein sources, this dandy little taco treat – harvested directly from the roots of Mexico’s tequila and mezcal plants – is in fact Liometopum ant larvae and regarded as the cream of the insect caviar crop with its cottage cheese like texture and buttery-nutty nuances. Very little is specifically written about the nutritional content of escamoles but countless resources go on and on about how healthy fully-hatched ants are – very low cholesterol, very high protein, yada yada yada – and of course, they’re easy on the environment. To think that tempeh made you want to leap out of your skin!

KIMCHEE

In theory, there’s really nothing remotely scary about fermented vegetables. Many of us would happily eat pickled cucumbers all day long, so throwing napa cabbage, green onions, garlic and daikon radishes into the mix sounds like a tastebud tantalizing field day, right? Since this classic Korean specialty – also known as kimchi, kim chee and other variations therein – is typically crammed into a jar, those who are entirely unfamiliar with it might think that the contents look far more like a bloody fetal pig than the sedate yet nutritious plant-based contents within, but chowing down on it will give your body a liberal dose of beneficial bacteria while kicking some types of cancers straight to the curb.

KOPI LUWAK

Wow… sounds pretty exotic, and by all rights, it definitely is. If you’re a coffee aficionado, then this exceedingly rare Arabica brew – which garners a market value of approximately $75 per quarter pound of dry beans – owes its seductive aroma and smooth flavor to the Asian Palm Civet. Oh, never heard of that critter? About the size of a domestic housecat, the forest-dwelling herbivore relishes coffee cherries, which they gamely gobble up and ultimately expel a day later. Then some poor soul is enlisted with the unpleasant task of retrieving said coffee remnants from their… ’nuff said. Apparently, while the beans are passing through the civet’s digestive tract, their proteolytic enzymes render your future cup of coffee free of its often bitter aftertaste. As for what the cuppa does for your body, preliminary studies suggest that in addition to preventing the development of oral, skin and breast cancer, regular kopi luwak drinkers enjoy a 30% reduction in type II diabetes along with less likelihood of nerve disease ailments such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Maybe knocking back a shot of tequila prior to your cup of kopi luwak will help it to go down a lot easier!

]]>Spam-a-Lot or Spam-a-Little? You Decidehttp://www.organicauthority.com/health/spam-getting-down-a-dirty-about-everybodys-favorite-recycled-meat-in-a-can.html
Tue, 02 Aug 2011 02:36:41 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/s5-health/c8-health/spam-getting-down-a-dirty-about-everybodys-favorite-recycled-meat-in-a-can/Back in the day when none of us knew any better, Spam — in all of its mottled, chunky-textured, shelf-stable glory — seemed like a relatively harmless, utterly convenient and seriously budget friendly foodstuff, and for all intents and purposes, it actually was. There’s no denying that the tinned meat product came to the rescue of […]

Back in the day when none of us knew any better, Spam — in all of its mottled, chunky-textured, shelf-stable glory — seemed like a relatively harmless, utterly convenient and seriously budget friendly foodstuff, and for all intents and purposes, it actually was. There’s no denying that the tinned meat product came to the rescue of countless homemakers during a time in our nation’s history when the impossibly drawn out, post-World War II economic depression continued taking its toll on families, lifestyles and overall demeanors. Suddenly, affordable dinnertime pizzazz was once again within reach – a fact that made many a family cook and avid meat-eater kick up their heels in celebration.

Hormel, the brainchild behind the edible protein-packed creation, ultimately earned countless Spam fans – in fact, the rectangular meat’s enduring pop culture presence has for numerous decades not only been felt stateside and abroad but everywhere in between. From Monty Python’s 1970s comedic ode — which ultimately paved the way for the title of a subsequent mid-90s Broadway play called Spamalot – all the way to an ever-changing array of kitschy consumer trinkets and Spam’s integral involvement in Hawaiian ‘sushi’, there’s been no stopping the shelf stable amalgam of assorted pork morsels bound together with potato starch. Oh, but it’s so much more than that. If you’ve ever had a deep curiosity about what Spam really is and whether or not you should actually be eating it, the following facts should clear up all the haze:

SPAM – WHAT THE HECK IS IT?

Jay Hormel set his sights on making the most of underutilized pork shoulders, and after a long recipe tweaking process and refined storage technique, he scored a veritable jackpot with Spam, a catchy name that referenced the ‘spiced ham’ loaf found within. Years later, the meaty mealtime staple would be made with a combination of finely chopped pork shoulder as well as additional cured ham… but wait, there’s more! Traditional Spam also contains salt, sugar, water, potato starch and sodium nitrate.

OKAY… SO NOTHING TO WRITE HOME ABOUT, RIGHT?

If you’re partial to highly processed meat products such as hot dogs, sausages and certain deli meats, then yes, very little about Spam may seem terribly earth-shattering. However, when you look below the surface, you begin to realize that a single 2 ounce portion provides the body with a sizable amount of:

FAT: 16 grams of fat to be exact, 6 of which are saturated — you know… the triglyceride-laden kind that bumps up low density lipoprotein/overall blood cholesterol levels, placing greater strain on the cardiovascular system. Plus, it’s connected to the development of many of our modern culture’s most deadly cancers.

SALT: The USDA recommends that healthy adults consume less than 2,300 mg of salt every day and those 50+ years of age or individuals who are diagnosed with persistent ailments such as chronic kidney disease, hypertension or diabetes just 1,500 mg daily. Given that a 2 ounce portion of Spam contains 790 mg of sodium, you might just want to keep a blood pressure monitor within arm’s length…

SODIUM NITRATE: While fat and salt aren’t exactly demonic when consumed in moderation, once sodium nitrate enters the picture, things become more than a little iffy. This popular meat preservative is admittedly great at staving off the growth of botulism bacteria – the life threatening toxin that can lead to paralysis and even respiratory failure – but studies have found that the nitrate preservatives in a modest 50 gram portion of processed meat are a significant risk factor for coronary heart disease and diabetes. Hormel isn’t forthcoming about the actual sodium nitrate content in each 2 ounce portion of their canned hammy blend, but based on their admission of sky-high levels of plain old sodium, it’s probably safe to say that your organs could conceivably take a beating.

WHAT’S THE BOTTOM LINE?

To be fair, Spam can actually be perceived as a somewhat green product since it utilizes cuts of pork that are normally deemed less than desirable — you know, what some might view as dog food worthy — so if you’re a huge ‘nose-to-tail’ proponent, then every time you tuck into a fried Spam sandwich (or a hot dog for that matter), you’re technically doing your part to lighten the burden on our landfills. On the other hand, that menu choice – if indulged in on a regular basis – could likely come at the sacrifice of your internal organs… but as an occasional guilty pleasure? Perhaps. Canned foods are also guilty of carrying the toxic chemical Bisphenol A (BPA) which has been linked to a host of health issues. So, you decide.

]]>Obesity: The Chemical Industry’s Secret Side Effecthttp://www.organicauthority.com/health/obesity-the-chemical-industrys-secret-side-effect.html
Mon, 18 Jul 2011 10:26:57 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/s5-health/c8-health/obesity-the-chemical-industrys-secret-side-effect/A Harvard University obesity expert, Dr. David Ludwig, made headlines recently when he suggested a startling approach to reversing extreme cases of childhood obesity, which currently affects approximately 2 million American children. Ludwig stated that letting a child become so overweight is child abuse, and those minors should be removed from their homes just the […]

]]>A Harvard University obesity expert, Dr. David Ludwig, made headlines recently when he suggested a startling approach to reversing extreme cases of childhood obesity, which currently affects approximately 2 million American children. Ludwig stated that letting a child become so overweight is child abuse, and those minors should be removed from their homes just the same as if they were found to be victims of sexual or physical abuse.

“In severe instances of childhood obesity, removal from the home may be justifiable, from a legal standpoint, because of imminent health risks and the parents’ chronic failure to address medical problems,” said Ludwig. It’s a controversial suggestion, but not difficult to see that his interest really does lie in helping children. But, what if it turns out that the parents, the schools, even the children themselves were not to blame for their extreme weight, but that it was the result of another factor altogether—like a chemical-laden plastic water bottle, or bar of soap?

Metabolisms can be about as varied as eye-color—with members of the same family often showing both extremes of the scale. For most of us though, keeping fit is a not-too-difficult balance of eating healthy and regular exercise. As long as we practice moderation in our eating and consistency in our activity, we usually wind up somewhere in the middle, even as we age.

Or, rather, that used to be the case.

Now, we find ourselves struggling to comprehend our growing girth with jaw-dropping examples like a 16-pound baby born in Texas on July 11th. Extreme birth weights can be a symptom of gestational diabetes, which many overweight pregnant women are at risk of developing. And whether it’s the best answer or not, for a respected medical professional like Dr. Ludwig to consider more than 2 million children who are at such a high risk of developing major health problems to be victims of an abuse situation with McDonald’s and Twinkies the weapons of choice, it is undoubtedly a wakeup call that something is indeed gravely wrong in this country. Big may be beautiful, but obese is abuse on the body no matter how you look at it.

If, as Dr. Ludwig suggests, our obese children are victims of abuse and neglect, then perhaps anyone struggling with stubborn life-threatening weight challenges might have a similar case for the courts, too. But against who, exactly?

There’s no doubt our predisposition towards junk food, fast-food and fatty-fried-foods are in no way helping matters. Even the quasi-healthy-loaded-with-good-for-you-claims on packaged food choices are not a replacement for fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes and a whole lot of physical activity. But, as many environmentalists have long pointed to, research suggests the health risks of exposure to common chemicals are not just the severe cases of cancer, infertility or birth defects. There are also strong reasons to believe these chemicals have a connection to our severe weight gain, too.

In a recent issue of Obesity Reviews, PhD student Jeanett Tang-Peronard of the Institute of Preventive Medicine in Copenhagen showed a strong link between exposure to chemicals commonly known as “endocrine disruptors” and the rising rates of obesity, especially when exposed to these chemicals while in utero or during early childhood.

Tang-Peronard looked at 450 different studies conducted on controversial chemicals ingested in a number of ways from inhalation, topical applications and through foods. The studies included the petroleum by-product, BPA (bisphenol-A), commonly found in hundreds of items from plastic baby bottles, children’s toys, water bottles, canned foods and even in a number of types of register receipts. She also looked at phthalates, PCBs and pesticides that contain organotin compounds. These chemicals are also found in everyday items from hand soaps, shampoos and laundry detergents to common foods—even the ‘healthy’ ones—because of widespread use of pesticides decades ago (like DDT), which are considered persistent pollutants because of the length of time it takes them to break down. They’re still found in our soil and oceans, even though DDT was banned in the U.S. in 1972 (some countries still allow it including India and North Korea).

While the research is still in its early stages, Tang-Peronard found that in virtually every study, obesity was a factor when exposure to the chemicals was evident. In fact, the earlier a human is exposed to any of these chemicals, the more at risk their hormonal systems are of becoming disrupted and incapable of properly signaling the body how to store and distribute fat. These disrupted hormonal signals can also affect the appetite, making people feel the need to eat when they’re not actually hungry. According to Tang-Peronard’s paper, “Studies investigating prenatal exposure indicated that exposure in utero may cause permanent physiological changes predisposing to later weight gain. The study findings suggest that some endocrine disruptors may play a role for the development of the obesity epidemic, in addition to the more commonly perceived putative contributors.”

There are still thousands of chemicals that have not been tested. And, while it’s still not clear exactly how much of a role chemicals play in our rising obesity rates versus how much normal human metabolism and lifestyle choices tip the scales, two things are undeniable: Humans have never been heavier in recorded history, nor have they ever been exposed to as many chemicals on a regular basis.

]]>Do Fat Substitutes Make You Fat?http://www.organicauthority.com/health/do-fat-substitutes-make-you-fat.html
Mon, 18 Jul 2011 01:26:49 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/s5-health/c8-health/do-fat-substitutes-make-you-fat/How’s this for irony: Foods that contain artificial fats intended to help people prevent weight gain may actually make you fat, says a recent study conducted by Purdue University. The study researchers looked at Olestra—the faux fat used in processed junk foods like potato chips and cookies (bad for you on a whole lot of […]

How’s this for irony: Foods that contain artificial fats intended to help people prevent weight gain may actually make you fat, says a recent study conducted by Purdue University.

The study researchers looked at Olestra—the faux fat used in processed junk foods like potato chips and cookies (bad for you on a whole lot of levels regardless of fat content!). “When we get cues that something is fatty, but no calories arrive – like with fat substitutes – our body gets confused,” says Dr. Susan E. Swithers, professor of psychology at Purdue and lead researcher in the study.

Researchers used Pringles brand potato chips and their Olestra-laden Pringles Light version, and found that the groups given the Olestra chips gained more weight and had increased difficulty losing the weight even after the chips were no longer a part of their diet. “When a food tastes fatty, our body gets a signal that a large number of calories are coming. It triggers metabolic reactions and various hormonal secretions anticipating fat, calories, and other food nutrients that it would process. Fake fats interfere with this regulation,” according to Swithers. “This confusion can make the body stop preparing to digest fatty food when it does come.”

While banned in the UK and Canada, Olestra is still available in the U.S. Organizations including the Center for Science in the Public Interest have been pushing to have it banned here, but it remains on the shelves. Olestra (also Olean) was discovered “by accident” by Proctor and Gamble food scientists. It’s synthesized from sucrose and made to bond with a number of fatty acids, thereby becoming too large to be absorbed through the intestinal wall so it passes through the GI-tract undigested, contributing no caloric gain. It is also known for serious side effects, including intense abdominal cramping, diarrhea and may cause malabsorption or deficiency in key nutrients.

]]>Diet Soda Makes You Fathttp://www.organicauthority.com/foodie-buzz/diet-soda-makes-you-fat.html
Mon, 21 Mar 2011 06:41:50 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/s1-foodie-buzz/c4-foodie-buzz/diet-soda-makes-you-fat/ The Wall Street Journal just reported that Diet Coke beats out Pepsi for consumers in the US—only Coke beats them both in total sales. Consumers reach for a can of that cold, bubbly, sweet beverage to get their jolted caffeine fix and a sugary high, but without the calories of normal soda. Sad thing is, if you’re […]

The Wall Street Journal just reported that Diet Coke beats out Pepsi for consumers in the US—only Coke beats them both in total sales. Consumers reach for a can of that cold, bubbly, sweet beverage to get their jolted caffeine fix and a sugary high, but without the calories of normal soda. Sad thing is, if you’re drinking diet soda, it still might make you gain weight. Find out why.

Overall, all soda drinkers (both sugar-sweetened and diet) gained weight compared to a control group that did not drink soda. But those drinking only diet soda gained more weight than those drinking regular soda. So much, in fact, that researchers concluded there is “a 41% increase in risk of being overweight for every can or bottle of diet soft drink a person consumes each day.”

Why does diet soda make us fat? It’s not unlike low-fat foods, which may also make us fat. Here are some popular theories:

People allow themselves to binge on other foods thinking they can “balance it out” by drinking diet soda later. Wrong, silly. You’re not balancing anything out. You’re just binging. Try drinking water and eating less instead.

Putting any food or drink into our stomachs (that isn’t water) triggers our gastric juices to get flowing for digestion, which makes us feel hungry. It’s like revving the engine for digestion. When we tell our bodies to get ready to absorb nutrients from a diet soda that’s actually delivering nothing (but a whole lot of chemicals), our brains get the message that we need to eat something to fill this now revved up engine.

The tongue recognizes “sweet” flavors as sugars or carbohydrates, and it signals the body to start producing insulin to help regulate blood sugar levels. Well, when we drink diet soda, there is sweet flavor but no actual sugar going into the system, so our bodies now crave sugar as our blood sugar levels have become unstable. This brings on food cravings and sugar cravings in particular. For this reason, diet soda is also related to diabetes and pre-diabetic conditions. Awesome.

The real way to fight fatigue and hunger is to drink more water. We often mistake thirst for hunger, and by downing a full glass of water, you can stave off random cravings. It’s also pretty amazing what downing a full glass of water will do for a foggy head—clears it right up with a bit of freshness. Down a full can of diet soda, and you may feel high for about 15 minutes, but chances are you’ll feel downer, hungrier and even a bit fatter soon enough.

]]>7 Reasons Fat Is Back, Without Making You Fathttp://www.organicauthority.com/health/7-things-to-know-about-fatsdoes-fat-really-make-you-fat.html
Wed, 09 Mar 2011 04:22:34 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/s5-health/c8-health/7-things-to-know-about-fatsdoes-fat-really-make-you-fat/Remember learning in school that people really once thought the earth was flat? Aw. It’s kind of cute how naïve that misconception was. Our perception of food—especially fats—has also been kind of like that. No, the earth is not flat (except for you, Kansas), and no, all fats are not bad for you. In fact, […]

Remember learning in school that people really once thought the earth was flat? Aw. It’s kind of cute how naïve that misconception was. Our perception of food—especially fats—has also been kind of like that. No, the earth is not flat (except for you, Kansas), and no, all fats are not bad for you. In fact, most of them are rather crucial to our health.

Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are essential because our bodies cannot make them on their own. We need to get them all—DHA, Omega-3s and Omega-6s—from foods such as avocados, olive and coconut oil, chia, flax and hemp seeds, and walnuts. And although fish do contain EFAs, they can also contain high levels of toxins, so it’s important we eat a well-balanced diet to get EFAs from a number of foods. Here are just a few reasons why:

Brain Health: Our brains are more than two-thirds fat, and brain cell membranes are made of EFAs, which they need to function properly. EFAs are critical for cognitive ability and help crucial brain development in utero.

Immune Response: Diets high in EFAs have shown a connection with a reduced risk for certain types of cancer and increased immune reactivity and response to common colds and flu.

Skinny Belly: Eating Omega-3s at every meal has been linked to a lower percentage of belly fat and an overall healthier body weight. Excess belly fat in particular has been linked to diabetes, among other ailments.

Reduced Inflammation: Analysis of 17 clinical trials looked at the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplements in people with chronic pain from arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease or painful menstruation. The results suggest that EFAs may help relieve joint pain associated with these conditions.

Boosts Mood: Studies have found that people who took omega-3 fatty acids in addition to prescription antidepressants had a greater improvement in symptoms than those who only took antidepressants.

Healthy Hair and Skin: In one study, people with sun sensitivity showed less reaction to UV rays after taking fish oil supplements. Another study showed people with psoriasis who took EFAs with their prescription medications did better than those who did not.

Balanced Cholesterol: Diets rich in healthy EFAs, such as the Mediterranean Diet, are linked to higher levels of HDL (healthy) cholesterol and lower levels of LDL (lousy) cholesterol.

]]>Denny’s New Fried Cheese Melthttp://www.organicauthority.com/foodie-buzz/dennys-new-fried-cheese-melt.html
Mon, 23 Aug 2010 22:39:08 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/s1-foodie-buzz/c4-foodie-buzz/dennys-new-fried-cheese-melt/Its over, forget 2012. We might as well pack it in now. This is food? According to Denny’s it is. Introducing the Fried Cheese Melt, Denny’s new grilled cheese sandwich with four fried mozzarella sticks stuffed inside. We wonder why there’s an obesity epidemic. That’s why! You can’t serve that much melted cheese and NOT […]

We wonder why there’s an obesity epidemic. That’s why! You can’t serve that much melted cheese and NOT make America fatter. I’m lactose intolerant and I’m barely holding it together just looking at that picture.